Kerosene Lamp - Tilley

Overview

Stainless steel base which is filled with kerosene, with a pump used to pressurize the kerosene vapor.
On top is a black hood with vents which sits on the glass heat resistant shade. The glass shade has an etched label.
It has a white and pink mantle on the central rod with a long shaped stainless steel handle, this folds down when not in use.

Historical information

Pressure lamps are far more sophisticated than wick lamps and produce a much brighter light, although they can be quite complicated and fiddly to use.
This type of lamp is commonly known in the UK as a "Tilley lamp".

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-124-2020.253
Item type
Material
Inscriptions and markings

"Tilley. Manufactured in United Kingdom"

Contextual information

A Tilley lamp is a type of kerosene pressure lamp. It uses a small hand pump to pressurize the kerosene in the fuel tank, which forces the vapor to a mantle where it burns to produce a bright, steady light.
How it works: A hand pump pressurizes the air in the fuel tank, forcing liquid kerosene up to a vaporizer where it turns to gas. This gas then mixes with air and burns, heating the mantle to a bright incandescence.

Place made
United Kingdom
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Last modified
Saturday, 18 October, 2025
Completeness
88
Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

kerosene lamp
Kerosene lamp
Tilley Lamp
Tilley Lamp

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->